Method, system, and recording medium for ordering prints

ABSTRACT

At the time of ordering a print of image data via a network, agency information is input without carrying out a troublesome operation. Image data obtained by reading a film at a DPE store are written in a CD-R together with agency information representing the DPE store. By using a user terminal, a user orders the print of the image data written in the CD-R from a printing-order reception center. Upon ordering the print, the agency information written in the CD-R is transferred to an order reception server. After the print is generated, the printing-order reception center delivers the print to the agency represented by the agency information.

This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.09/968,890, filed on Oct. 3, 2001, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference and for which priority is claimed under35 U.S.C. § 120.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and a system for ordering aprint of image data via a network, and to a computer-readable recordingmedium storing a program to cause a computer to execute the printordering method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Digital photograph service systems for carrying out various kinds ofdigital photograph services have been known. In such a service,photographs obtained by a user are digitized and stored in an imageserver or recorded in a CD-R to be provided to the user. Furthermore,images photographed by a user with a digital camera are printed and theuser can request additional prints of the images. As one form of such adigital photograph service system, a network photograph service systemfor receiving an order of a print or the like via a network such as theInternet has also been proposed.

In such a network photograph service system, a user installs viewersoftware in his/her personal computer which acts as a user terminal sothat the user can reproduce image data recorded in a CD-R or obtained byusing a digital camera. When the user orders a print or the like, theuser generates order information describing the content of an order byusing an ordering function built in to the viewer software. The userthen sends the order information and image data representing an image orimages to be printed from the user terminal to an order reception servervia a network such as the Internet. The order reception server sends theimage data and the order information to a printer server in a laboratoryor in a mini-laboratory installed in a store. The printer server printsthe image data and generates an additional print, a picture postcard, analbum, and the like, based on the order information. In the case wherethe printer server and the order reception server are located at thesame place, printing is carried out immediately after receiving theimage data and the order information.

The print or the like generated in the above manner is delivered to anagency designated by the user at the time of ordering the print or thelike. In this manner, the user can pay a printing charge and receive theprint or the like at the agency.

The “order information” refers to information such as a processingnumber for specifying the content of a service (such as generation of anadditional print or a postcard), an image number specifying aphotograph, a print size, quantity of prints, quality of printing paper(such as glossy or non-glossy), thickness of the printing paper, thecontent of processing, and trimming specification, for example. Theorder information may further include information regarding a name, anaddress, a zip code and a phone number of the user.

In such a network photograph service system described above, the userneeds to specify the agency for receiving the print or the like when theuser orders the print or the like. There are several methods for theuser to designate the agency: (1) selecting the desired agency from alist of agencies displayed on the user terminal; (2) selecting areainformation such as a prefecture by using the user terminal and thenselecting the desired agency from a list of agencies in the selectedarea; (3) displaying a store closest to the user on the user terminal asthe agency based on the zip code; and (4) directly inputting a name ofthe agency from the user terminal, for example.

However, an operation for selecting the agency is troublesome for theuser. Especially, in the case where the user has already decided whichagency to use, selection of the agency according to the methods (1) to(4) described above is annoying for the user. Furthermore, if the agencyis a DPE store, it is difficult for the DPE store to induce the user todesignate the store according to the methods (1) to (4), although theDPE store wishes the user to do so.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conceived based on consideration of theabove problems. An object of the present invention is therefore toenable a user to designate an agency for receiving a print withoutcarrying out troublesome operation.

Another object of the present invention is to enable a DPE store toinduce the user to designate the store as the agency.

A print ordering method of the present invention is used for a printordering system comprising an order reception server for receiving anorder of a print of image data, and a user terminal connected to theorder reception server via a network for ordering the print of the imagedata from the order reception server. In this system, the image data tobe printed are transferred from the user terminal to the order receptionserver. The print ordering method of the present invention comprises thestep of:

transferring agency information, which had been provided to a user inadvance regarding an agency for receiving the print, from the userterminal to the order reception server.

The “order reception server” is a server computer installed in aprinting-order reception center, for example, specializing inprinting-order reception. If a printer is installed in theprinting-order reception center, the order reception server is connecteddirectly to the printer. If the printing-order reception center does nothave any printers, the order reception server is connected to a printerserver installed in a wholesale laboratory or in a mini-laboratory of aDPE store via the network. The DPE store can also serve as the agency.

In the case where the order reception server is connected directly tothe printer, the image data can be printed immediately after orderreception. Meanwhile, if the order reception server is connected to theprinter server via the network, the image data and the agencyinformation are transferred to the printer server after the orderreception, and the printer server generates the print.

The “agency information” refers to information indicating a store (a DPEstore, a convenience store, or the like) at which the user would like toreceive the print. The print is delivered to the agency represented bythe agency information, and provided to the user at the agency. Theimage data may be transferred to the agency indicated by the agencyinformation (if the agency is a DPE store) so that the print can begenerated therein.

The agency information is provided to the user by being recorded asmagnetic information in a recording medium such as a magnetic card, anIC card, an FD, and a CD-R, or may be printed on a printing medium suchas a leaflet, an advertisement, a coupon, and on a backside of a printwhich has already been provided to the user. Alternatively, the agencyinformation may be provided to the user by being added in a header of animage file (such as a tag of a JPEG file), or by being uploaded to a Website of a DPE store. In the case of designation of a DPE store as theagency, not only individual DPE stores but also a DPE store groupcomprising chain stores can be candidates for the agency. Furthermore, aDPE store may have a plurality of agency information assigned thereto inaccordance with the content of services. If a plurality of agencyinformation in accordance with the content of services (such as adiscount for a specific customer and an A4-size printing service) isavailable, what kind of service is provided can be easily confirmed byreferring to the agency information. Therefore, printing of image datacan be carried out efficiently.

Meanwhile, the image data obtained by reading images from a film areconventionally recorded in a CD-R and provided to the user. In such acase, the agency information may be recorded in the CD-R together withthe image data. In this case, a DPE store that has recorded the imagedata in the CD-R records the agency information representing the storeitself so that the user can designate the store as the agency at thetime of ordering the print.

Not only the image data and the agency information but also viewersoftware for ordering the print, for manipulating or browsing throughthe images may also be recorded in the CD-R. In this manner, the usercan order the print, manipulate or browse through the images withoutobtaining the software himself/herself, if the user installs the viewersoftware in his/her own user terminal.

If the agency information is to be printed on a printed medium, theagency information may be recorded as a bar code or a numerical codethereon. In this case, the user may input the agency information to theuser terminal by using input means such as a keyboard and a mouse.Alternatively, the user may input the agency information to the userterminal by reading the agency information printed on the printingmedium with a bar code reader or OCR means. Recently, a method ofdetecting information such as a number and a bar code included in animage photographed by using a digital camera has been proposed. The OCRmeans may be such a digital camera enabling the detection.

Recording the agency information on the printing medium such as aleaflet and an advertisement enables the user to designate a DPE storecharging less or providing a better service as the agency. In thismanner, the user can receive better service. Meanwhile, a DPE store canattract the user as a customer designating the store as the agency, andan advertisement effect and thus a profit can be improved.

The user can obtain the agency information from a Web site bydownloading the agency information uploaded in the Web site to the userterminal. By obtaining the agency information representing a DPE storeor DPE chain stores from the Web site, the user can confirm the contentof services and charges at various DPE stores via the Internet, and canselect any one of the DPE stores as desired. At the same time, each ofthe DPE stores can improve an effect of an advertisement using the Website.

It is preferable for the print ordering method of the present inventionto further comprise the step of displaying an order reception Web screenon the user terminal based on information stored in the order receptionserver (such as an html file or Javascript). By using the orderreception Web screen, the user can order the print. In this manner, theuser can order the print at any time he/she wishes, through acomparatively easy operation.

It is also preferable for the print ordering method of the presentinvention to further comprise the step of displaying an agencyconfirmation Web screen on the user terminal based on the informationstored in the order reception server after the user terminal transfersthe agency information to the order reception server so that the usercan confirm the agency information regarding the agency he/she hasselected. In this manner, the user can confirm the agency informationhe/she has specified and can change the information if necessary.

It is preferable for the print ordering method of the present inventionto further comprise the step of displaying a selection Web screen forselecting another store on the user terminal based on the informationstored in the order reception server in the case where the agencyinformation is not appropriate, and information of a store selected inthe selection Web screen is used as the agency information.

The case where “the agency information is not appropriate” refers to thecase where the agency information needs to be changed. For example, theuser himself/herself may wish to change the agency information, or thestore corresponding to the agency information may not exist as in thecase where the transferred agency information is old or erroneouslyinput. Furthermore, a store different from a store that has been inputmay be displayed on the confirmation Web screen. In such cases, the userneeds to change the agency information.

It is also preferable for the print ordering method of the presentinvention to further comprise the step of transferring order informationrepresenting the content of the order to the order reception server.

A print ordering system of the present invention is a system comprisingan order reception server for receiving an order of a print of imagedata and a user terminal connected to the order reception server via anetwork and for ordering the print of the image data from the orderreception server. In this system, the image data to be printed are sentfrom the user terminal to the order reception server at the time ofordering the print. The system is characterized by that the userterminal transfers agency information, which has been provided to a userin advance regarding an agency to receive the print, to the orderreception server.

In the print ordering system of the present invention, the agencyinformation may be recorded together with the image data in a recordingmedium. In this case, the user terminal reads the image data and theagency information from the recording medium and transfers the imagedata and the agency information to the order reception server.

In the print ordering system of the present invention, the agencyinformation may be recorded as magnetic information in a recordingmedium. In this case, the user terminal reads the agency informationfrom the recording medium and sends the agency information to the orderreception server.

Furthermore, the agency information may be printed on a printing medium.In this case, the user terminal reads the agency information from theprinting medium and sends the agency information to the order receptionserver.

Moreover, the agency information may be obtained from a predeterminedWeb server so that the user terminal can send the agency informationobtained in the above manner to the order reception server.

The agency information may be a code number representing the agencyinput from the user terminal.

The agency information may also be added to the image data. In thiscase, the user terminal reads the agency information added to the imagedata and sends the agency information to the order reception server.

In the print ordering system of the present invention, the user terminalmay display an order reception Web screen based on information stored inthe order reception server so that the print can be ordered via the Webscreen.

In this case, it is preferable for the user terminal to display anagency confirmation Web screen based on the information stored in theorder reception server, after transferring the agency information.

Furthermore, in this case, it is also preferable for the user terminalto receive an input of information representing whether or not theagency information is appropriate. In the case where the agencyinformation is not appropriate, a selection web screen for selectinganother store is preferably displayed on the user terminal based on theinformation stored in the order reception server so that information ofa store selected in the selection Web screen can be used as the agencyinformation.

In the print ordering system of the present invention, it is preferablefor the user terminal to transfer order information representing thecontent of the order to the order reception server.

A program to cause a computer such as the user terminal to execute theprint ordering method of the present invention may be provided by beingrecorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

In this case, it is preferable for the recording medium to have theagency information recorded therein. Viewer software for manipulatingand browsing through the image data may also be recorded in therecording medium and provided to the user.

According to the present invention, the agency information regarding theagency at where the user is to receive the print, which has beenprovided to the user in advance, is sent to the order reception server.Therefore, the user can designate the agency at where he or she is toreceive the print, without carrying out a troublesome operation. In thismanner, the print can be ordered easily. Meanwhile, a DPE store can leadthe user to designate itself as the agency, by providing the agencyinformation representing the store to the user in advance. In thismanner, the DPE store can increase profit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a procedure carried out in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a procedure of ordering a print;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an agency confirmation procedure (part1);

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the agency confirmation procedure (part2);

FIG. 6 shows an agency confirmation Web screen;

FIG. 7 is a Web screen showing that an agency is not appropriate;

FIG. 8 shows an agency confirmation Web screen;

FIG. 9 shows a municipality selection Web screen;

FIG. 10 shows an agency selection Web screen;

FIG. 11 shows an image uploading Web screen;

FIG. 12 shows an image preview Web screen;

FIG. 13 shows an order content input Web screen;

FIG. 14 shows a Web screen for previewing an image that has beenselected;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a sixthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 shows a code input Web screen; and

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained withreference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing a configuration of a network photograph service system adoptinga print ordering system as a first embodiment of the present invention.The network photograph service system shown in FIG. 1 exchanges data,prints and the like between a user. 1, a mini-laboratory (a DPE store) 2and a printing-order reception center 3.

The user 1 has a user terminal 11 such as a personal computer, and theuser 1 can order a print P or prints P (hereinafter called the prints P)from the printing-order reception center 3 via a network 4. If the userdoes not have a personal computer, the user 1 can use an orderprocessing terminal installed in a service provider as the user terminal11.

The DPE store 2 has reading means 21 such as a film reader for obtainingimage data S by reading images from a film F brought in by the user 1and writing means 22 such as a CD-R drive for writing in a CD-R theimage data S that have been read and agency information J fordesignation of the DPE store 2 as an agency to receive the prints P.Viewer software for browsing through and manipulating the image data Sand for ordering the prints P is also written in the CD-R. The agencyinformation J is written as computer-readable magnetic information inthe CD-R.

The printing-order reception center 3 has an order reception server 31for receiving a printing order and a printer 32 for obtaining the printsP based on the image data S transferred from the user terminal 11 viathe network 4 at the time of ordering the prints, and an agency database33 for storing the agency information J in relation to agency addressinformation K. Paper KP having an address of the agency printed thereonby the printer 32 is obtained in the reception center 3, based on theaddress information K. In this manner, the printing-order receptioncenter 3 can deliver the prints P to the agency represented by theagency information J, by pasting the paper KP on a bag containing theprints P, for example.

The user 1 sets the CD-R in a CD-R drive of the user terminal 11 afterreceiving the CD-R from the DPE store 2, and installs the viewersoftware recorded in the CD-R in the user terminal 11. In this manner,the user 1 can browse through and manipulate the image data S and canorder the prints P, while using the viewer software. At the time ofordering the prints P, the user terminal 11 accesses the order receptionserver 31 in the printing-order reception center 3 by using the viewersoftware, and a print ordering Web screen is displayed on the userterminal 11 based on information such as an html file or a Javascriptstored in the order reception server 31. The prints P are ordered viathe print ordering Web screen.

Operation of the first embodiment will be explained next. FIG. 2 is aflow chart showing a procedure carried out in the first embodiment.

The user 1 requests a CD-R having the image data S representing theimages photographed by the user on the film F (Step S1) from the DPEstore 2. The DPE store 2 obtains the image data S by reading the film F(Step S2), and writes the image data S and the agency information J inthe CD-R, together with the viewer software (Step S3). The CD-Rgenerated in the above manner is provided to the user 1 (Step S4).

The user 1 installs the viewer software in the user terminal 11 (StepS5). The user 1 browses through and manipulates the images and ordersthe prints P (Step S6). The printing order is sent to the orderreception server 31 in the printing-order reception center 3 andreceived there (Step S7). Hereinafter, the procedure at Step S6 and StepS7 will be explained in detail.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an ordering procedure. When the user 1instructs the user terminal 11 to order the prints P by using the viewersoftware (Step S21), the viewer software connects the user terminal 11to the order reception server 31 in the printing-order reception center3 via the network 4, by using Web browser software installed in the userterminal 11 (Step S22). At this time, the print ordering Web screen forordering the prints P is displayed on the user terminal 11, based on theinformation stored in the order reception server 31. The user 1 inputsinformation necessary for ordering the prints P such as a user ID and apassword in the Web screen, in order to connect the user terminal 11 tothe order reception server 31.

The user terminal 11 reads the agency information J from the CD-R andsends the information J to the order reception server 31 (Step S23). Theorder reception server 31 carries out an agency confirmation procedureafter receiving the agency information J from the user terminal 11 (StepS24).

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts showing the agency confirmation procedure.The order reception server 31 receives the agency information Jtransferred from the user terminal 11 (Step S41), and searches theagency database 33 based on the agency information J (Step S42). Basedon a result of the search, the order reception server 31 judges whetheror not the store corresponding to the agency information J exists (StepS43). If the store exists, the order reception server 31 transfersdetailed information regarding the store to the user terminal 11, anddisplays the detailed information on the user terminal 11 (Step S44).

An agency confirmation Web screen 71 including various kinds of theinformation regarding the store corresponding to the agency informationJ (such as a name, a zip code, an address, a phone number, a fax number,and operating hours of the store) is displayed on the user terminal 11,as shown in FIG. 6. The user 1 views the Web screen 71 and clicks button12 if the agency he/she wishes to use is the store displayed therein.Meanwhile, if the user 1 wishes to use another store, the user 1 clicksbutton 13. Agency confirmation information is then transferred from theuser terminal 11 to the order reception server 31, in response to theclicking of button 12 or 13.

The order reception server 31 receives the agency confirmationinformation (Step S45), and judges whether or not the store displayed inthe agency confirmation Web screen 71 is appropriate (Step S46). If aresult at Step S46 is affirmative, the store is confirmed as the agency(Step S47).

On the other hand, if the result at Step S46 is negative, that is, ifthe store corresponding to the agency information J does not exist,information indicating this error in agency designation is sent to theuser terminal 11. A Web screen 72 for indicating that the store is notappropriate is displayed on the user terminal 11, as shown in FIG. 7(Step S48). An agency designation Web screen 73 is then transferred fromthe order reception server 31 and displayed on the user terminal, asshown in FIG. 8 (Step S49). Meanwhile, if the user 1 clicks the button13 in the agency confirmation Web screen 71 shown in FIG. 6, the agencydesignation Web screen 73 shown in FIG. 8 is also displayed on the userterminal 11. In the agency designation Web screen 73, a prefecture isselected from a pull-down menu.

The user 1 selects either a search based on the prefecture or a directinput of an agency code, and clicks either button 14 or button 15depending on the method of selection. Information indicating how theagency is designated is transferred to the order reception server 31 inresponse to the clicking of button 14 or 15. The order reception server31 judges how the agency is designated (Step S50). If the user 1directly inputs a numerical code (the agency code) as the agencyinformation J and clicks the button 15, the order reception server 31judges that the agency is designated by the agency code. The agency codethat has been input is received as the agency information J (Step S51),and the procedure returns to Step S42. The agency code has been providedto the user 1 in advance.

Meanwhile, in order to search for the agency based on the prefecture,the user 1 selects the prefecture from the pull-down menu and clicks thebutton 14. The order reception server 31 judges that the agency isdesignated by the search based on the prefecture, and receivesprefecture selection information regarding the selected prefecture (StepS52, see FIG. 5). Based on the prefecture selection information, theorder reception server 31 searches the agency database 33 formunicipality information regarding municipalities in which stores ascandidates for the agency are located, and transfers the municipalityinformation to the user terminal 11 to be displayed thereon (Step S53).A municipality selection Web screen 74 is displayed on the user terminal11, as shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, “Yokohama” and “Kawasaki”are displayed in the municipality selection Web screen 74 as themunicipalities having the stores therein, since the prefecture selectionis “Kanagawa”.

In the municipality selection Web screen 74, if the user 1 selects adesired one of the municipalities and clicks on the name thereof,municipality selection information regarding the selected municipalityis transferred to the order reception server 31. In this embodiment,“Yokohama” is selected. The order reception server 31 receives themunicipality selection information (Step S54), and searches the agencydatabase 33 for the detailed information of the stores in the selectedmunicipality. A list of the stores is then transferred from the orderreception server 31 to the user terminal 11 and displayed thereon (StepS55). In this manner, an agency selection Web screen 75 showing detailedinformation of the stores is displayed on the user terminal 11, as shownin FIG. 10. Since the selected municipality is Yokohama in thisembodiment, the list of the stores in Yokohama is displayed in the Webscreen 75.

The user 1 selects a desired one of the stores and clicks on the namethereof. Agency selection information regarding the selected store isthen sent to the order reception server 31. In this embodiment,“Yanagida Camera” is selected. The order reception server 31 receivesthe agency selection information (Step S56), and transfers detailedinformation of the selected store to the user terminal 11 to bedisplayed thereon (Step S44 in FIG. 4).

The procedure from Step S45 to Step S46 is then carried out as has beendescribed above, and the agency is confirmed at Step S47 if the resultat Step S46 is affirmative. Meanwhile, if the result at Step S46 isnegative, the procedure goes to Step S49, and the procedure from StepS50 to Step S56 is repeated until the agency is confirmed.

When the agency is confirmed, an image uploading Web screen 76 isdisplayed on the user terminal 11, as shown in FIG. 11. The image data Srepresenting any of the images to be printed are uploaded (transferred)to the order reception server 31 via the Web screen 76. File name inputfields 61 enabling up to ten inputs of image file names are displayed inthe image uploading Web screen 76. Reference buttons 62 for displaying afile selection dialog box are also displayed in the Web screen 76 sothat one of the file names is selected from the box. A “confirm images”button 16 for image preview, and an “upload images” button 17 foruploading the image data S are also shown in the Web screen 76.

In the image uploading Web screen 76, the user 1 selects a desired oneof the images to be printed, one by one. More specifically, the user 1may directly input one of the file names in one of the file name inputfields 61. Alternatively, the user 1 may click one of the referencebuttons 62 to display the file selection dialog box, and selects one ofthe file names from the box (Step S25). If the number of the images tobe printed is not one, the file names can be input at random. Whether ornot the “confirm images” button 16 in the Web screen 76 has been clickedis then judged (Step S26). If a result at Step S26 is affirmative, apreview Web screen 77 in which the selected images (or the selectedimage if the number of the images to be printed is one: hereinafter, thenumber of the images to be printed is not one in this embodiment.) areshown is displayed, as shown in FIG. 12 (Step S27). It is preferable forthe preview Web screen 77 to be displayed in a window different from awindow of the image uploading Web screen 76. The selected images in thepreview Web screen 76 may be displayed in order of input or in order ofthe file names. After the preview Web screen 77 is displayed or in thecase where the result at Step S26 is negative, whether or not additionto the images or correction of the images is necessary for uploading isthen judged (Step S28). If addition or correction is necessary, theprocedure returns to Step S25 and the procedure from Step S25 to StepS28 is repeated. If addition or correction is unnecessary, the user 1clicks the “upload images” button 17 in the image uploading Web screen76 (Step S29), and the image data S for the selected images aretransferred to the order reception server 31 (Step S30).

After the uploading is completed, an order content input Web screen 78is displayed on the user terminal 11, as shown in FIG. 13. The ordercontent input Web screen 78 displays a charge per print in accordancewith print size, numbers representing the uploaded images, thumbnailimages and the file names of the uploaded images, time and date of theuploading, print size selection fields 63, and print quantity inputfields 64. The uploaded images are displayed in order of the file names.The user 1 can confirm the uploaded images, the file names, and the timeand date of the uploading, by viewing the Web screen 78. Meanwhile, apull-down menu is available for the print size selection fields 63, andprint sizes such as an L size (with white margin/without eclipse), an Lsize (without white margin/with eclipse), a DSC size, a DSCW size, and a2L size can be selected, for example. Quantities can be input directlyin the print quantity input fields 64 for the respective images thathave been uploaded.

If the user 1 clicks on one of the thumbnail images after selection ofthe print sizes for all the uploaded images, the user can confirm theimage numbers, the file names, the print sizes, and how the prints Plook one by one for all the uploaded images, by using a preview Webscreen 79 displayed as shown in FIG. 14 in response to the clicking. Inthis example, the user has clicked on an image 001 in the L size (withwhite margin/without eclipse). As shown in FIG. 14, in the preview Webscreen 79, the image 001 having the white margin in the L size isdisplayed. By clicking an arrow button 19B in the preview Web screen 79,the user can preview the next uploaded image. If the user clicks anarrow button 19A, the preview returns to that of the previous image. Byclicking a “Return” button 19C, the order content input Web screen 78shown in FIG. 13 is displayed again.

The user 1 inputs the content of the order in the order content inputWeb screen 78 (Step S31), and clicks an “confirm order” button 18. Thecontent of the order is then sent to the order reception server 31 asorder information (Step S32), and the ordering procedure ends.

The order reception server 31 in the printing-order reception center 3receives the order information (Step S7 in FIG. 2), and prints the imagedata S based on the order information to obtain the prints P (Step S8).The paper KP on which the address information K of the agency is printedis obtained based on the agency information J (Step S9). The paper KP ispasted on a bag containing the prints P, and the prints P are deliveredto the address thereon (Step S10). The agency receives the prints P(Step S11), and the user 1 goes to the agency to receive the prints P bypaying the charge (Step S12). In this manner, the procedure ends.

As has been described above, in this embodiment, the agency informationJ written in the CD-R is transferred to the order reception server 31 atthe time of ordering the prints. Therefore, the user 1 can designate theagency to receive the prints P, without carrying out a troublesomeoperation. In this manner, the prints P can be ordered easily.Meanwhile, the DPE store 2 can lead the user 1 to designate the store asthe agency, by providing the agency information J representing thestore. Therefore, the DPE store 2 can increase profit.

Operation of a second embodiment of the present invention will beexplained next. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of anetwork photograph service system adopting a print ordering system asthe second embodiment of the present invention. In the secondembodiment, elements that are the same as in the first embodiment havethe same reference numbers and detailed explanations thereof areomitted.

In the second embodiment, a DPE store 2 has writing means 22 for writingagency information J in a recording medium 24 such as a magnetic card,an IC card and an FD. The recording medium is provided to a user 1 andthe user 1 reads the agency information J from the recording medium 24by using a user terminal 11. The agency information J is sent to anorder reception server 31 in a printing-order reception center 3. Theuser 1 orders prints P of image data S (recorded in a memory card 40)obtained by using a digital camera.

In the case where the agency information J is written in the recordingmedium 24, the user 1 sets the recording medium 24 in a card reader oran FD drive connected to the user terminal 11. When the user 1 instructsthe user terminal 11 to order the prints P at Step S21 in FIG. 3, theuser terminal 11 accesses the order reception server 31 and reads theagency information J from the recording medium 24. The agencyinformation J that has been read is sent to the order reception server31. Thereafter, the agency confirmation procedure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5is carried out as in the first embodiment. The image data S are readfrom the memory card 40 and uploaded.

Operation of a third embodiment of the present invention will beexplained next. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of anetwork photograph service system adopting a print ordering system asthe third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment,elements that are the same as in the first embodiment and the secondembodiment have the same reference numbers and detailed explanationsthereof are omitted.

In the third embodiment, each of DPE stores 2 has a printer 25 forprinting agency information J as a bar code or a numerical code on aprinting medium 26 such as a leaflet or a card. Each of the DPE stores 2provides the printing medium 26 to a user 1 and the user 1 can read theagency information J printed on the printing medium 26 by using readingmeans connected to a user terminal 11. The agency information J read inthe above manner is sent to an order reception server 31 in aprinting-order reception center 3. The user 1 orders prints P of imagedata S (recorded in a memory card 40) obtained by using a digitalcamera. In the third embodiment, the agency information J is printed onthe printing medium 26 as the bar code and a bar code reader 41 is usedas the reading means.

As has been described above, in the case where the agency information Jis printed as the bar code on the printing medium 26, the user 1 canread the bar code by using the bar code reader 41 connected to the userterminal 11, and obtains the agency information J. When the user 1instructs the user terminal 11 to order the prints P at Step S21 in FIG.3, the user terminal 11 accesses the order reception server 31 and sendsthe agency information J that has been read to the order receptionserver 31. Thereafter, the agency confirmation procedure shown in FIGS.4 and 5 is carried out as in the first embodiment. The image data S areread from the memory card 40 and uploaded.

In the third embodiment, by viewing the agency information printed onthe leaflet or the like, the user 1 can designate any one of the DPEstores 2 charging less or providing a better service as an agency toreceive the prints P. In this manner, the user 1 can receive betterservice. Meanwhile, each of the DPE stores 2 can attract the user 1 as acustomer who designates the store as the agency. Therefore, each of theDPE stores 2 can increase their profit.

In the third embodiment, if a numerical code is printed on the printingmedium 26 as the agency information J, the numerical code is read by OCRmeans. Recently, a method of detecting information such as a number anda bar code included in an image obtained by a digital camera has beenproposed. In the third embodiment, the user 1 may photograph theprinting medium 26 with such a digital camera so that the agencyinformation J included in the photographed image can be detected andtransferred to the order reception server 31 according to this method.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained next.FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as the fourthembodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, elementsthat are the same as in the first to third embodiments have the samereference numbers and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, a DPE store 2 writes image data S in a CD-Rand prints the image data S by using a printer 27. The DPE store 2provides prints P0 of the image data S together with the CD-R to a user1. Agency information J is printed as a bar code or a numerical code ona backside of each of the prints P0. Meanwhile, the user 1 reads theagency information J printed on the backside of any one of the prints P0with reading means connected to a user terminal 11, and transfers theagency information J to an order reception server 31 in a printing-orderreception center 3. The user 1 also orders prints P of the image data Srecorded in the CD-R. In the fourth embodiment, the agency information Jis printed as a bar code on the backside of each of the prints P0 and abar code reader 41 is used as the reading means. The agency informationJ may be printed on the backside of photographic paper for the prints P0in advance. Alternatively, the agency information J may be printed onthe backside of each of the prints P0 after generation of the prints P0.

As has been described above, in the case where the agency information Jis printed on the backside of each of the prints P0 as the bar code, theuser 1 reads the bar code with the bar code reader 41 connected to theuser terminal 11, and obtains the agency information J. When the user 1instructs the user terminal 11 to order the prints P at Step S21 in FIG.3, the user terminal 11 accesses the order reception server 31 and sendsthe agency information J that has been read to the order receptionserver 31. Thereafter, the agency confirmation procedure shown in FIGS.4 and 5 is carried out as in the first embodiment, and the prints P areordered.

In the fourth embodiment, if the agency information J is printed on thebackside of each of the prints P0 as a numerical code, the numericalcode is read by OCR means. Recently, a method of detecting informationsuch as a number and a bar code included in an image obtained by adigital camera has been proposed. In the fourth embodiment, the user 1may read the agency information J with such a digital camera.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained next. FIG.18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network photographservice system adopting a print ordering system as the fifth embodimentof the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, elements that are thesame as in the first to fourth embodiments have the same referencenumbers and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

In the fifth embodiment, agency information J is obtained from a Webserver 28, and a user 1 orders prints P of image data S (recorded in amemory card 40) obtained by photographing with a digital camera. Inother words, each of DPE stores 2 has a Web site of its own, and theuser 1 accesses the Web server 28 from a user terminal 11 via a network4, in order to browse through the Web site. The Web site includes anadvertisement showing a charge and the content of services, and a buttonto download the agency information J. The user 1 accesses the Web server28 corresponding to any one of the DPE stores 2, and selects one of theDPE stores 2 as desired. The user 1 obtains the agency information J bydownloading the agency information J of the selected DPE stores 2.

After the user 1 obtains the agency information J in the above manner,the user 1 instructs the user terminal to order the prints P at Step S21in FIG. 3. The user terminal 11 accesses an order reception server 31and sends the agency information J that has been read to the orderreception server 31. Thereafter, the agency confirmation procedure shownin FIGS. 4 and 5 is carried out as in the first embodiment, and theprints P are ordered.

As has been described above, by obtaining the agency information J fromthe Web server 28 of any one of the DPE stores 2 after the user 1confirms the charge and the content of the services for each of thestores 2 via the Internet, the user 1 can select the desired one of thestores 2 as an agency to receive the prints P. Each of the DPE stores 2can also improve an effect of the advertisement using the Web site.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained next. FIG.19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network photographservice system adopting a print ordering system as the sixth embodimentof the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, elements that are thesame as in the first to fifth embodiments have the same referencenumbers and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

In the sixth embodiment, each of DPE stores 2 has a printer 25 forprinting agency information J on a printing medium 26 such as a leaflet,a card, and an advertisement, as in the third embodiment. However, theagency information J is printed on the printing medium 26 as a numericalcode (a store code). Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, when a user 1instructs a user terminal 11 to order prints P by using viewer software,a code input Web screen 80 to input the store code is displayed on theuser terminal 11, as shown in FIG. 20. The user 1 inputs the numericalcode printed on the printing medium 26 in a code input field 65 in theWeb screen 80. When the user 1 clicks an OK button 45, the store code istransferred as the agency information J to an order reception server 31.Thereafter, the agency confirmation procedure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 iscarried out as in the first embodiment and the prints P are ordered.Image data S are read from a memory card 40 and uploaded.

In the sixth embodiment, by viewing the agency information J printed onthe printing medium 26 such as the leaflet and the advertisement, theuser 1 can designate any one of the DPE stores 2 charging less orproviding a better service as an agency. In this manner, the user 1 canreceive better service. Meanwhile, each of the DPE stores 2 can attractthe user 1 as a customer who designates the store as the agency.Therefore, each of the DPE stores 2 can increase their profit.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explained next.FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a networkphotograph service system adopting a print ordering system as theseventh embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment,elements that are the same as in the first to sixth embodiments have thesame reference numbers and detailed explanations thereof are omitted.

In the first to sixth embodiments, the printing-order reception center 3receives the order from the user 1 and prints the image data S. In theseventh embodiment, a DPE store 2 as in the first embodiment of thenetwork photograph service system prints image data S, although the DPEstores 2 in the first to sixth embodiments can also carry out theprinting.

In the seventh embodiment, a printing-order reception center 3 has anorder reception server 31 and an agency database 33. The DPE store 2 hasa reception server 51 for receiving the image data S transferred fromthe order reception server 31 and a printer 52 for obtaining prints P byprinting the image data S.

In the seventh embodiment, the order reception server 31 receives theimage data S after confirmation of an agency, and transfers the imagedata S via a network 4 to the DPE store 2 searched for according to theagency information J. The reception server 51 in the DPE store 2receives the image data S and prints the image data S to obtain theprints P by using the printer 52.

In the first embodiment, the image data S and the agency information Jare written in the CD-R. However, the agency information J may bewritten in a file header of the image data S. For example, if the imagedata S are stored in a JPEG file, the agency information J is written ina tag thereof. By writing the agency information J in the file header ofthe image data S as in the above manner, the agency information J can betransferred to the order reception server 31 after being read from thefile of the image data S, even in the case where the image data S arestored in a hard disc of the user terminal 11 after being read from theCD-R.

Alternatively, only the image data S may be written in the CD-R, whereasthe agency information J may be stored in the recording medium 24 suchas a magnetic card as in the second embodiment, or printed on theprinting medium 26 as in the third embodiment.

1. A print ordering method used for a print ordering system comprisingan order reception server for receiving an order of a print of imagedata, and a user terminal connected to the order reception server via anetwork and for ordering the print of the image data from the orderreception server, the image data to be printed being transferred fromthe user terminal to the order reception server, the print orderingmethod comprising the step of: transferring agency information, whichhas been provided to a user in advance regarding an agency for receivingthe print, from the user terminal to the order reception server.
 2. Aprint ordering system comprising; an order reception server forreceiving an order of a print of image data; and a user terminalconnected to the order reception server via a network and for orderingthe print of the image data from the order reception server, the imagedata to be printed being sent from the user terminal to the orderreception server at the time of ordering the print, wherein the userterminal transfers agency information, which has been provided to a userin advance regarding an agency to receive the print, to the orderreception server.
 3. A computer-readable recording medium storing aprogram to cause a computer to execute a print ordering method forordering a print of image data from an order reception server, theprogram comprising the procedures of: receiving an order of the print;and transferring the image data and agency information regarding anagency to receive the print to the order reception server.